Chapter 05 · 2000 – 1600 BCE
Old Babylonian
Hammurabi, the Epic of Gilgamesh, mathematics.
~1800 BCE · Multiple manuscripts across collections; see ETCSL bibliography for witnesses
A praise poem of Iddin-Dagan (Iddin-Dagan B)
In plain English
An has decreed a great fate for Iddin-Dagan in his exalted place, making the rightful crown shine, raising him to shepherd the Land, and laying the foreign lands at his feet. Enlil has looked upon him with favor and spoken truly to him, commanding him to hold the cosmic bond firm in Sumer, to keep the people on the right path, to let Sumer and Akkad rest under his broad protection, and to ensure the people eat well and drink fresh water. Enki, for his part, has given Iddin-Dagan deep understanding, knowledge of all things, wise command, and a life — the tablet's phrase here is uncertain — likened to something coming from a lion's mouth. The poem closes with a wish that all foreign lands praise him.
AI-generated reading paraphrase; compare with the translation below.
“Iddin-Dagan, in his majestic location An has decided a great fate for you, has made the just crown shine for you, has raised you to shepherdship over the Land, has placed the foreign lands at your feet. Enlil has looked at you truly, Iddin-Dagan, he has spoken truly to you. Enlil has commanded you to keep firm the cosmic bond in Sumer, to keep the people on the track, to let Sumer and Akkad relax under your broad protection, to let the people eat noble food and drink fresh water. Iddin-Dagan, you are the shepherd in his heart, the one whom Enlil has spoken to truly. Enki has brought to you, Iddin-Dagan, broad understanding, knowledge of everything, wise command, a life (?) that comes from the mouth of a lion. May all the foreign lands praise you.”
Source: ETCSL c.2.5.3.2: A praise poem of Iddin-Dagan (Iddin-Dagan B). Black, J.A., Cunningham, G., Robson, E. & Zólyomi, G. (eds.), The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature, Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Oxford. https://etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk/cgi-bin/etcsl.cgi?text=c.2.5.3.2
Read the full tablet entry~1800 BCE · Multiple manuscripts across collections; see ETCSL bibliography for witnesses
A praise poem of Ishme-Dagan (Ishme-Dagan AA)
In plain English
Someone brought something before Ishme-Dagan from a place whose name is lost — the surface is too damaged to read the opening lines clearly. Fates were decided; a grand arrangement was set up befitting a majestic golden throne and dais, and those assembled lined up before it, offering favorable words for Sumer and Akkad. In the E-kur, food offerings were presented, and Ishkur is mentioned in connection with the temple, though the surrounding lines are broken. A massive copper object — inspiring great awe — was placed on the holy dais for all people to marvel at, and the main meal was established as a permanent regular offering in Ishme-Dagan's great dining hall.
AI-generated reading paraphrase; compare with the translation below.
“From ...... he brought ...... for you. ...... the fates are decided ....... He set up grandly (?) for you ...... that befits the majestic dais and throne of gold. They lined up before it for you ...... favourable words for Sumer and Akkad. ...... in the E-kur ....... food offerings. ...... in the E-kur ....... ...... with your right arm ....... ...... Ickur ...... in the E-kur. ...... on its august throne. He ...... a huge copper ...... inspiring great awe, on your holy dais. It is to be marvelled at by the people. He ...... the main meal (?) for you in your great dining hall as a regular offering forever after.”
Source: ETCSL c.2.5.4.27: A praise poem of Ishme-Dagan (Ishme-Dagan AA). Black, J.A., Cunningham, G., Robson, E. & Zólyomi, G. (eds.), The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature, Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Oxford. https://etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk/cgi-bin/etcsl.cgi?text=c.2.5.4.27
Read the full tablet entry~1800 BCE · Multiple manuscripts across collections; see ETCSL bibliography for witnesses
A praise poem of Ishme-Dagan (Ishme-Dagan AC)
In plain English
The gods elevated Enki — holy An's firstborn son — to the rank of a lesser Enlil, granting him sevenfold wisdom so that he could reveal all things, give counsel, decide great fates, and dispense wisdom. His dwelling, the pure abzu, has brickwork whose details are lost to damage, but its façade is described as calming to the mind; what followed in that section is gone — one line survives only as fragments, and then an unknown number of lines are missing entirely. When the text resumes, Enlil and Ninlil appear as mighty princes who decree fates, and it is in Nibru's midst that they bestowed divine powers on lord Ninurta. The tablet closes with Ishme-Dagan claiming that he has made these pure, peerless songs of Nibru live in every mouth forever.
AI-generated reading paraphrase; compare with the translation below.
“To befit heaven and earth grandly, they raised Enki, the lord, the firstborn son of holy An, to the status of junior Enlil. So that he can reveal everything (?), they bestowed sevenfold wisdom upon him as a gift. They have established eternally that he should give counsel, that he should decide great fates, that he ......, and that he should provide wisdom. The pure abzu, the house whose brickwork ......, whose façade settles the mind, ...... to place before him ....... 1 line fragmentary unknown number of lines missing They (Enlil and Ninlil) are powerful princes, lords who decides the fates; in your midst they have bestowed the divine powers on lord Ninurta. Nibru, your pure songs are most precious, surpassing all praise! I, Icme-Dagan, have made every mouth utter them forever.”
Source: ETCSL c.2.5.4.29: A praise poem of Ishme-Dagan (Ishme-Dagan AC). Black, J.A., Cunningham, G., Robson, E. & Zólyomi, G. (eds.), The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature, Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Oxford. https://etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk/cgi-bin/etcsl.cgi?text=c.2.5.4.29
Read the full tablet entry~1800 BCE · Multiple manuscripts across collections; see ETCSL bibliography for witnesses
A praise poem of Lipit-Eshtar (Lipit-Eshtar A)
In plain English
Lipit-Eshtar speaks in his own voice: he is a king held in high regard, a son of the god Enlil, born nobly. From the time he first raised his head like a young cedar, he has been a man of physical strength and athletic power, growing powerfully built in his youth. He is a lion without equal, a gaping dragon who inspires dread in soldiers, an Anzud bird scanning the mountain heights with sharp eyes. He is a wild bull that no one dares challenge in its rage, a bison with gleaming, beautiful eyes — and here the text breaks off mid-description.
AI-generated reading paraphrase; compare with the translation below.
“I am a king treated with respect, good offspring from the womb. I am Lipit-Ectar, the son of Enlil. From the moment I lifted my head like a cedar sapling, I have been a man who possesses strength in athletic pursuits. As a young man I grew very muscular (?). I am a lion in all respects (3 mss. have instead: to the extremes (?)), having no equal. I am a gaping dragon, a source of great awe for the soldiers. I am like the Anzud bird, peering about in the heart of the mountains. I am a wild bull whom nobody dares oppose in its anger. I am a bison, sparkling with beautiful eyes, having a…”
Source: ETCSL c.2.5.5.1: A praise poem of Lipit-Eshtar (Lipit-Eshtar A). Black, J.A., Cunningham, G., Robson, E. & Zólyomi, G. (eds.), The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature, Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Oxford. https://etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk/cgi-bin/etcsl.cgi?text=c.2.5.5.1
Read the full tablet entry~1800 BCE · Multiple manuscripts across collections; see ETCSL bibliography for witnesses
A praise poem of Sîn-iddinam (Sîn-iddinam A)
In plain English
Sîn-iddinam loaded his departing boat with flour, gold, and grain — offerings fit for the great lady — along with choice grain and lapis lazuli destined for the E-kur. He transported the cargo to the Quay of Life at Ur and carried it joyfully into Suen's majestic temple. Nanna was delighted with the king, and Ningal responded to him in ways the damaged text no longer preserves. The great gods, the Anuna, blessed him. He had brought to full perfection the abundant pure first-fruit offerings of the new year. One manuscript adds a line repeating that he transported the cargo to the Quay of Life at Ur.
AI-generated reading paraphrase; compare with the translation below.
“...... who worships ....... Sîn-iddinam ...... his departing boat. He provided flour, gold and grain, befitting the great lady. ...... all this choice (?) grain ...... the lapis lazuli E-kur. He transported this cargo to the Quay of Life, the quay of Urim. Joyously he brought it into the majestic house, the house of Suen. Nanna was delighted with the king, and Ningal ...... to him. Nanna was delighted with Sîn-iddinam, and Ningal ...... to him. The Anuna, the great gods, blessed him. He had brought to complete perfection the plenitude, the pure first-fruit offerings, the first-fruit offerings of the new year. (1 ms. adds 1 line: He had transported this cargo to the Quay of Life, the quay of Urim.)”
Source: ETCSL c.2.6.6.1: A praise poem of Sîn-iddinam (Sîn-iddinam A). Black, J.A., Cunningham, G., Robson, E. & Zólyomi, G. (eds.), The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature, Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Oxford. https://etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk/cgi-bin/etcsl.cgi?text=c.2.6.6.1
Read the full tablet entry~1800 BCE · Multiple manuscripts across collections; see ETCSL bibliography for witnesses
A praise poem of Shu-Suen (?) (Shu-Suen I)
“King Cu-Suen, forceful lord, unknown no. of lines missing”
Source: ETCSL c.2.4.4.9: A praise poem of Shu-Suen (?) (Shu-Suen I). Black, J.A., Cunningham, G., Robson, E. & Zólyomi, G. (eds.), The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature, Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Oxford. https://etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk/cgi-bin/etcsl.cgi?text=c.2.4.4.9
Read the full tablet entry~1800 BCE · Multiple manuscripts across collections; see ETCSL bibliography for witnesses
A praise poem of Shulgi (Shulgi A)
In plain English
Shulgi speaks in his own voice, naming himself as the son of Ninsun, chosen by An, fated by Enlil, beloved of Ninlil, cherished by Nintud, made wise by Enki — king of Nanna, fierce as Utu's lion, and favored by Inana for his looks. He is tireless on the road: a mule made for travel, a horse whose tail streams on the highway, a Shakkan stallion burning to run (one manuscript reads 'donkey' instead of 'stallion'). He is also a learned scribe of Nisaba, his wisdom perfected alongside his strength — one manuscript says 'distinction' rather than 'strength.' He holds himself to truth, has no patience for wickedness, and despises anyone who speaks with malice.
AI-generated reading paraphrase; compare with the translation below.
“I am a child born of Ninsun. I am the choice of holy An's heart. I am the man whose fate was decided by Enlil. I am Culgi, the beloved of Ninlil. I am he who is cherished by Nintud. I am he who was endowed with wisdom by Enki. I am the powerful king of Nanna. I am the growling lion of Utu. I am Culgi, who has been chosen by Inana for his attractiveness. I am a mule, most suitable for the road. I am a horse, whose tail waves on the highway. I am a stallion of Cakkan, eager to run. (1 ms.: I am a donkey of Cakkan, who loves running.) I am a knowledgeable scribe of Nisaba; I have perfected my wisdom just as my heroism and my strength(1 ms. has instead: my distinction). Reliable words can reach (?) me. I cherish righteousness but do not tolerate wickedness. I hate anyone who speaks wickedly.”
Source: ETCSL c.2.4.2.01: A praise poem of Shulgi (Shulgi A). Black, J.A., Cunningham, G., Robson, E. & Zólyomi, G. (eds.), The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature, Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Oxford. https://etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk/cgi-bin/etcsl.cgi?text=c.2.4.2.01
Read the full tablet entry~1800 BCE · Multiple manuscripts across collections; see ETCSL bibliography for witnesses
A praise poem of Shulgi (Shulgi B)
In plain English
Shulgi, king of Ur, composed these praise songs so that his name, his power, his might, and his remarkable intelligence would be remembered forever and handed down to future generations. He brought the wisdom embedded in the songs before the mighty son of Ninsumun, and he sings his own glory in them. In his own words: he is a king born of a king and a queen, blessed with a favorable destiny from before his birth. As a child he attended the academy — and here the passage breaks off mid-sentence.
AI-generated reading paraphrase; compare with the translation below.
“To make his name famous for all time until distant days, and to transmit to posterity and the days to come the praise poems of his power, the songs of his might, and the lasting fame of his exceptional intelligence, King Culgi, king of Urim, has brought the songs' latent wisdom before the mighty son of Ninsumun. He praises his own power in song, and lauds his own superior native intelligence: I am a king, offspring begotten by a king and borne by a queen. I, Culgi the noble, have been blessed with a favourable destiny right from the womb. When I was small, I was at the academy, where I…”
Source: ETCSL c.2.4.2.02: A praise poem of Shulgi (Shulgi B). Black, J.A., Cunningham, G., Robson, E. & Zólyomi, G. (eds.), The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature, Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Oxford. https://etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk/cgi-bin/etcsl.cgi?text=c.2.4.2.02
Read the full tablet entry